Star shaped decorative light



P 7, 1954 J. w. CHRISTOPHER 2,688,689

STAR SHAPED DECORATIVE LIGHT iled Nov. 27, 1953 FIHEL4 INVENTOR. JOHN w. CHRISTOPHER BY I CL P fiWI-M ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 7, 1954 UNITED STATES 2" QFFICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to a Christmas decoration or the like. It has to do, more particularly, with an electrically flashing decoration.

The device of this invention includes a continuously lighted small star and means for giving the effect, at intervals, of the small star spreading out into a large star and then back to the small star.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the device.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the device taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view with the front of the housing removed to show the lights therein.

Figure 4 is a diagram of the electric circuit of the device.

With reference to the drawing, my device comprises an opaque drum-shaped light housing II), the front end of which is closed by a removable closure II which has a peripheral flange I2 that frictionally engages the outer annular wall of the housing ID. The closure II is provided with a translucent star-shaped window I3, the points of the star extending outwardly, almost to the flange I2. This window is preferably formed of a translucent film of colored material such as cellophane or similar material that is suitably secured to the opaque body of the closure I I over a star-shaped opening formed therein.

Suspended in the housing I directly below the window I3 is a star-shaped reflector I4. This star-shaped reflector I4 is centered relative to the star-shaped window I3 and is positioned directly behind the window. Associated with the reflector is a socket I5 which receives a small bulb IS. The socket I5 is supported centrally within the light housing, directly behind the window I3, by means of a wire I! attached to one side of the housing I0 and a diametrically pulling spring I8 attached to the other side of the housing I0.

To the back of the housing, there is attached a socket I9 by means of a bracket 20. This socket is adapted to receive a tubular light bulb 2| which will extend diametrically behind the socket I5. The socket I9 will include a flasher which is shown separate at 22 in the circuit of Figure 4.

An electric cord 23 will extend from the housing I0 and will have the standard plug 24.

When the plug 24 is inserted in an electric outlet, the bulb IB will light and will burn constantly. The flasher 22 will function to flash the bulb 2I at intervals. When the bulb I6 only burns, a small star will be seen through the window i3 and will be the same area as the reflector I4. As the light 2I flashes on, because of flasher 22, the small star will seem to spread out in a large star to the area of the window I3. Then, as the bulb 2I goes out, the star will contract to the area of the reflector I4. Thus, as the bulb 2I flashes on and off the area of the star will spread and contract and a very interesting and pleasing effect will be produced.

It will be apparent that I have provided a novel and attractive decoration which will be easy and inexpensive to produce.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A decoration comprising a light housing, a star-shaped illuminating device in the housing, a translucent window in the housing in the shape of a star centered with the star-shaped illuminating device and being of substantially greater area than the illuminating device, a light within the housing for illuminating the window, means for causing said illuminating device to function constantly and means for flashing said light at intervals.

2. A decoration according to claim 1 wherein the star-shaped window is in one wall of the housing and the star-shaped illuminating device is in the form of a reflector of star shape carrying an electric bulb, and said light being in the form of an electric bulb, said last-named means including a circuit for keeping the first bulb lighted continuously and for flashing the second bulb at intervals.

3. A decoration comprising a substantially drum-like opaque light housing having a removable closure at one of the flat sides thereof, said closure having a star-shaped opening covered with translucent material, a star-shaped reflector disposed Within said housing directly behind said opening and centered relative thereto and being of substantially less area than said opening, said reflector having an electric bulb associated therewith, a second electric bulb of tubular form disposed behind said reflector and being larger than the first bulb, and an electric circuit for burning the first bulb constantly and for flashing the second bulb.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,283,751 Hay Nov. 5, 1918 1,464,743 Blair Aug. 14, 1923 1,684,922 Mammen Sept. 18, 1928 1,728,251 Pitt Sept. 17, 1929 2,146,422 Davis Feb. '7, 1939 

